Making Running Plans for 2023

[@degsybee70]

I totally agree with you Andy about not running on ice, I nearly slipped a couple of times on the same run, so decided to give it a miss for a week. Living next to the coast, like yourself, means the ice was only down for a week or so. Now I am a northerner, in fact I recently got an a completely unsolicited Ancestry DNA kit for my birthday, I was naturally suspicious as no one else had received one, and made more so when my brother said “that looks interesting I fancy one of those”?! I digress, the point is I’m a northerner, and according to the kit, from a long line of northerners stretching back three centuries! They arrived from Norway, I’d like to think marauding in ships, and sacking monasteries, but in all fairness he probably got lost looking for woolly mammoth in Doggerland. However I must have missed out on the ‘Captain Oates’ gene. I own several scarfs, even a pair of gloves, and never strip off when off when leaving the tent and off for a winter walk. Apart from that I’m a walking (and occasionally running) stereotype. I did get a new watch over Christmas, an Amazfit GTS 4, works ok with a iphone and can be linked to a heart chest strap. The companion app does export to strava, although I don’t use that. I’m still trying to figure it out, and I suspect your apple watch is of a similar and almost certainly better spec. The GPS is really accurate other than that I don’t have anything else to compare it to. It seems more than enough for me, but perhaps not for the next steps you are embarking on. Right now I’m just trying to increase the distance to 10km and gradually increase the pace on the shorter runs. So I’m not really placing much demand on it. One thing it doesn’t do is make you run any faster. Apologies for the rambly comment !

[@TheRamblyChannel]

Hi Derek. Thanks for your comment - it was very interesting and not at all rambly! Although rambly comments are very much encouraged!! 😁 So many people have mentioned heart straps so it's something I'll investigate further - it hadn't occured to me before. I haven't heard of Amazfit so will check that out too. All the best for getting to 10K. I absolutely love 10K as a distance and hope you will too. Thanks so much for watching!

[@markg99]

Good stuff, Andy. I'm from the northern part of the Midlands, so obviously I'm tough and down to earth like a northerner, whilst maintaining the class and dignity of our southern friends 😄👍🏻

[@TheRamblyChannel]

There's no class or dignity down south - it's a myth propagated by the news media and rubbish TV programmes. It's nothing but a sesspit down here. 🤪

[@IvyHouseCrafter]

Earlier this year I was running through several inches of snow on the sidewalk, it's funny to listen to you talk about the cold. 😂 I was supposed to run a marathon this April, but I've injured my knee and won't be able to get the training miles I need. So right now my plan is to heal, run a shorter distance at the event, and cross train to hopefully prevent further injuries.

[@TheRamblyChannel]

I'm such a softie - one flake of snow and I stay indoors by the radiator. 😂 I'm so sorry to hear about your injury, but good for you to keep going with an alternative plan in mind and make it a positive experience - that's really good advice for anyone in a similar position. I do hope you continue to feel better - don't overdo it. 😊👍🏻

[@largeeddie]

Have a great 2023, Andy, in your running life and otherwise! As with you, I plan to continue running this year. I might attempt to better a certain time in a 10 km race, the specifics of which are not important. I would also like to be more consistent at--and work out the pacing and logistics for being more comfortable at--doing 90+-minute long runs. But mainly just to still be going at it at this time next year. All the best!

[@TheRamblyChannel]

Hi Eddie. Still going in a year's time is a good goal tbh! It's certainly something I'm aiming for as things have dipped off for me of late. It's comments like yours that encourage me to keep going so I really appreciate that. Fingers crossed your runs this year go as planned! 😁

[@keithgreen2102]

Have you thought about doing Parkrun to keep things ticking over? Don't know if there's one near you but they are great fun as well as being a useful part of your running week.

[@TheRamblyChannel]

Hi Keith. I have done Parkrun before, but sadly not nearly as often as I should. It's a great shout - I really should do it again as it's been a while!

[@Shevock]

Being soft can be good. Gentility and all that.

[@Shevock]

Halfs are great. I'm training for the Pittsburgh Half Marathon right now. See if your watch has an available chest strap heartrate monitor. I have an old refurbished Garmin watch but even so the wrist heartrate is not accurate at all. It synchs to my arm swing. A chest strap is essential.

[@TheRamblyChannel]

That's very helpful, Dan. Thanks for that. I'm getting lots of positive comments about chest straps for heart rate monitoring - very interesting!

[@virtuocitygowf7272]

Not a helpful answer to your question, but I wonder if it’s time to submit to a Garmin & Strava combo? A Garmin 35 or 45 forerunner would do the job for most non-ultra runners and refurbished ones with 12 months guarantee are about £30. If you’re serious about heart rate training you might want to invest in a chest strap monitor for more accuracy.

[@Shevock]

My refurbished Garmin works great but I still need a heartrate strap to get accurate data.

[@TheRamblyChannel]

Thanks both for your valuable feedback - that's something I hadn't considered!

[@michaelgoode9555]

All of my Garmin-harvested data is copied to Strava on a standard free account so I have it both on Garmin Connect and Strava. I keep my data private and this has not been a problem as far as I can tell. I have no idea if I can import from Strava to any other ecosystem such as to Garmin, Samsung, Coros, etc. and no clue at all as to Apple's compatibility with Strava

[@TheRamblyChannel]

Thanks Michael. It's always interesting to hear what other people do with their data. It's a good idea to keep it private, you're spot on there!

[@BenNotley]

Posted a comment which contains a link you might need to approve it 😊👍

[@TheRamblyChannel]

Ah right. I'll check that out - the gremlins have most likely squashed it...!

[@TheRamblyChannel]

Hmmm. Nothing in "Held for review". I wonder what happened to it?! 🤔